Cost-of-living crisis
We know that the cost-of-living crisis has had a big impact on film, TV, and cinema workers, and we’re doing all we can to provide support and advice.
The phrase ‘cost-of-living crisis’ refers to a period of economic shock caused by the cost of everyday essentials increasing very quickly. This crisis has had a greater impact on people with lower incomes, including many workers across the film, television, and cinema industry.
There is a lot of advice from various sources about how to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, but sifting through all of the available information can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled some simple steps to help industry workers cope with the rising cost of living.
Talk to someone right now
If you need urgent support, our free and confidential 24-hour Support Line is here for you.
Practical and simple tips
The benefits system can be difficult to navigate, especially if you’re a freelancer, but there are lots of free tools and resources you can use to find out what you may be entitled to. The Film and TV Charity can also provide one-off Stop-Gap Grants of up to £750 to meet urgent need via a quick and easy application process. Visit our Benefits and Grants page to find out more and what you’re entitled to.
We understand that it can be difficult to stay on top of things as bills increase. Use MoneyHelper’s Bill Prioritiser to help you pay your bills and payments in the correct order. If you’re having issues with debt, you can call our free, confidential 24-hour Support Line for a listening ear, advice and support. You can also contact Stepchange or Christians Against Poverty (CAP) for information and support on dealing with debt.
Tackle rising energy bills
An increase in wholesale gas prices has led to rising energy bills for households across the UK. Our friends at MoneyHelper have produced some information and advice on what to do if you’re worried about rising energy bills, including information on the energy price cap for customers in England, Scotland and Wales. For practical tips and advice on how to lower your energy bills by making your home more energy efficient, visit the Energy Saving Trust.
Petrol is also another concern for industry workers, as many need a car to travel for work. Save money on fuel by using the PetrolPrices tool to find the cheapest fuel nearby. There is also lots of useful information online offering hints and tips for lowering your everyday car costs.
Make use of deals and voucher codes for savings on everyday items such as groceries. MoneySavingExpert compile the latest deals on a weekly basis, so you can save money on essentials from a range of categories. You can also use Honey, an extension you can easily add to your browser which searches for online discounts and coupons on your behalf.
Use our Budget Planner to manage your money and plan for the inevitable ups and downs that come with life as a freelancer, particularly during these challenging times. This can help you identify non-essential costs, and other areas that you could cut back on if needed.
How to use
- Enter what you spend and how much you earn
- The calculator will give you a breakdown of your finances
- Read your personalised tips to help you make the most of your money
There may be some opportunities for you to increase your income or boost your earnings by upskilling. ScreenSkills offer bursaries to help you progress your career which could allow you to increase your earnings.
If you work behind the scenes in film, TV, or cinema, we’re here to help. We have a range of financial support, tools, and resources to help you manage your financial health and support you during a crisis. You can also call our Support Line for friendly, confidential advice on 0800 054 0000.
Our friends at Turn2Us have also produced a helpful breakdown of support to help with the cost-of-living crisis, including benefits, grants, and other sources of support.
Other services available for you
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Financial support
Find the right financial support, tools and resources for you, from one-off grants to help you in a crisis, to tools to help you manage your finances, like our Budget Planner.
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Mental health and wellbeing support
Our experienced and empathetic team can give you immediate advice as well as more intensive guidance, including quick access to counselling and bullying and harassment advice and support.
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Legal advice
You can access free Legal Advice through our Support Line. Our experienced team can give immediate advice on legal topics including family law, housing, personal injury and company law.
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